Information processing terminal and system

ABSTRACT

An information processor includes: a user information acquiring unit acquiring user information for identifying a user; a display; a viewing time measuring unit measuring a viewing time during which a previously-registered user views contents information on the display; and a controller. The controller determines whether the user is the registered user, based on the user information and registered user information for identifying the registered user. When the user is the registered user, the controller causes the display to display the contents information, causes the viewing time measuring unit to measure the viewing time, compares a cumulative viewing time that is a total of the viewing times cumulated within a period of time with a viewing limit time that is a previously-set upper limit of the cumulative viewing time, and gives the registered user a warning when the cumulative viewing time is equal to or longer than the viewing limit time.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/093,007, filed on Nov. 9, 2020, which is a Continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 16/306,469, filed on Nov. 30, 2018, now U.S.Pat. No. 10,834,459 issued on Nov. 10, 2020, which is the U.S. NationalPhase under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No.PCT/JP2016/066112, filed on Jun. 1, 2016, the entire contents of eachare hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an information processor.

BACKGROUND ART

Since smartphones, tablet PCs, etc., have been widely spreading inrecent years, videos, etc., distributed through the Internet, etc., canbe easily viewed outside and at home. Many users have a plurality ofpieces of such information equipment such as a smartphone, a personalcomputer, and a television, and have along time to view a displaywithout awareness.

Therefore, burden on the user's eye becomes large, and there areconcerns such as visual loss and stiff shoulder due to the watching ofthe display for a long time. In order to particularly suppress influenceon children in their growing periods, in particular, it is preferable tolimit the time for viewing the display within a certain time. And,parents would like to limit the children's time for viewing the displayin some cases because of, for example, their educational policy.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a view limiting systemincluding an STB (Set Top Box) serving as a viewing apparatus, a monitorconfigured to reproduce contents such as moving images and still imagesreceived by the STB, user terminals configured to remotely operate theSTB through wireless communication, and an administrator terminalconfigured to set a viewing time limit value in the STB for each userterminal. According to the Patent Document 1, the STB manages a viewinghistory (viewing time) and a viewing time limit value for each terminalID that is unique to each user terminal. When receiving a viewingrequest from the user terminal, the STB compares the viewing time withthe viewing time limit value, based on the terminal ID, and permitscontents viewing if the viewing time is shorter than the limit value,otherwise rejects the viewing request if not.

RELATED ART DOCUMENT Patent Document

-   Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication    No. 2010-93726

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

In the view limiting system of the Patent Document 1, although it isdetermined whether the viewing is permitted or not before the start ofthe contents viewing, it is not determined whether the viewing ispermitted or not during the contents viewing. Therefore, even when acumulative viewing time exceeds the viewing limit time during viewing ofinformation, the system cannot limit the viewing of information such ascontents.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide aninformation processor that can limit the viewing even when thecumulative viewing time exceeds the viewing limit time during theviewing of information.

Means for Solving the Problems

The summary of the typical aspects of the inventions disclosed in thepresent application will be briefly described as follows.

An information processor according to a typical embodiment of thepresent invention includes: a user information acquiring unit configuredto acquire user information for identifying a user; a display; a viewingtime measuring unit configured to measure a viewing time during which apreviously-registered user views the contents information displayed onthe display; and a controller. The controller determines whether theuser is the registered user or not, based on the user information andregistered user information for identifying the registered user. When itis determined that the user is the registered user, the controllercauses the display to display the contents information, causes theviewing time measuring unit to measure the viewing time, compares acumulative viewing time that is a cumulative total of the viewing timescumulated within a certain period of time with a viewing limit time thatis a previously-set upper limit of the cumulative viewing time, andgives a warning to the registered user when it is determined that thecumulative viewing time is equal to or longer than the viewing limittime.

Effects of the Invention

The effects obtained by the typical aspects of the present inventiondisclosed in the present application will be briefly described below.

That is, according to the typical embodiment of the present invention,an information processor that can limit viewing even when a cumulativeviewing time exceeds a viewing limit time during viewing of informationcan be provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of aninformation processor according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view exemplifying one form of the information processoraccording to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a usage situation in theinformation processor according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart related to amethod of recording viewing information according to the firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a UI image displayed at userauthentication according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a user image created by animage-capturing unit;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a warning image to aregistered user according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a notification image to anadministrative user according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed at userauthentication according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed at userauthentication according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a method of recording viewinginformation on a registered user according to the second embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a method of managing viewinginformation on a registered user according to a third embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a warning image to aregistered user according to the third embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart related to amethod of recording viewing information according to a fourth embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a viewing state in which aplurality of users are viewing contents of the information processor;

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of acquired user's faceinformation;

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a viewing informationmanagement system according to a fifth embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart related to amethod of recording viewing information according to the fifthembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the method of recording theviewing information according to the fifth embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart related to themethod of recording the viewing information according to the fifthembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the method of recordingviewing the information according to the fifth embodiment of the presentinvention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described indetail on the basis of the accompanying drawings. Note that the samecomponents are denoted by the same reference symbols throughout all thedrawings for describing the embodiments, and the repetitive descriptionthereof will be omitted. Also, hatching is used even in a plan view soas to make the drawings easy to see.

In the embodiments described below, the invention will be described in aplurality of sections or embodiments when required as a matter ofconvenience. However, these sections or embodiments are not irrelevantto each other unless otherwise stated, and the one relates to the entireor a part of the other as a modification example, details, or asupplementary explanation thereof.

Also, in the embodiments described below, when referring to the numberof elements (including number of pieces, values, amount, range, andothers), the number of the elements is not limited to a specific numberunless otherwise stated or except the case where the number isapparently limited to a specific number in principle. The number largeror smaller than the specified number is also applicable.

Further, in the embodiments described below, it goes without saying thatthe components (including element steps) are not always indispensableunless otherwise stated or except the case where the components areapparently indispensable in principle.

Also, when “formed of A”, “formed from A”, “having A” or “including A”is described for components or others in embodiments, it goes withoutsaying that other components are not eliminated unless otherwisespecified to be only the component. Similarly, in the embodimentsdescribed below, when the shape of the components, positional relationthereof, and others are mentioned, the substantially approximate andsimilar shapes and others are included therein unless otherwise statedor except the case where it is conceivable that they are apparentlyexcluded in principle. The same goes for the numerical value and therange described above.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of aninformation processor according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 2 is a plan view exemplifying one form of theinformation processor according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a usage situationin the information processor according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention.

An information processor 100 according to the present embodiment is, forexample, a smartphone, a cellular phone, a tablet terminal, a personalcomputer, or others. As shown in FIG. 1 , the information processor 100includes a user information acquiring unit 116, a display 117, a viewingtime measuring unit 170, and a controller 114. In addition to thesecomponents, the information processor 100 further includes aninformation storage 125, a tuner/demodulator 122, a signal separator121, a memory 132, an acceleration sensor 133, a geomagnetic sensor 134,a communication I/F 113, a mobile communication I/F 131, an informationinput unit 115, a GPS receiver 135, a gyrosensor 136, an image-capturingunit 140, a switch input unit 150, and an audio input/output unit 160.These components are connected to one another through a bus 101. To theswitch input unit 150, a button 151 is connected. To the audioinput/output unit 160, a microphone 161 and a speaker 162 are connected.

As shown in, for example, FIG. 2 , the user information acquiring unit116 is provided on the periphery of the display 117. The userinformation acquiring unit 116 acquires the user information foridentifying the user. The user information acquiring unit 116 iscomposed of, for example, a biosensor, etc., configured to readbiological information, and acquires biological information such as afingerprint and a finger venous pattern as the user information, via thebiosensor. When a password input by the user is acquired as the userinformation, the information input unit 115 described later may functionalso as the user information acquiring unit. Further, a touch panelcomposed by monolithically forming the information input unit 115 andthe display 117 described later may also function as the userinformation acquiring unit. When face information extracted from a userimage captured by the image-capturing unit 140 described later isacquired as the user information, the image-capturing unit 140 may alsofunction as the user information acquiring unit. The user informationacquiring unit 116 may acquire, for example, operation informationrelated to an operation of the display 117 such as turning on/off of thedisplaying, through a result of the user's operation.

The display 117 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal panel, anorganic EL (electroluminescence) panel, or others. The display 117 maybe configured integrally with the information input unit 115, forexample, as a touch panel. The display 117 displays, for example, suchcontents information as images and videos stored in the informationstorage 125, contents information received by the tuner/demodulator 122,the communication I/F 113, and the mobile communication I/F 131, suchcontents information as images and videos taken by the registered user,and such contents information as images and videos created by anapplication program. The display 117 displays also, for example, a userinterface (UI), such as an input screen for inputting a password that isnecessary for the user to log on to the information processor 100.

The display 117 displays an image, etc., for warning of the viewinglimitation of the contents information, etc., as described later.

The viewing time measuring unit 170 measures a viewing time or othersduring which the registered user views the contents information, etc.,displayed on the display 117. For example, when it is determined that auser who intends to use the information processor 100 is the registereduser in the controller 114 described later, and then, when theregistered user logs on to the information processor 100, the viewingtime measuring unit 170 measures a time during which the contentsinformation is displayed on the display 117, as the registered user'sviewing time. The viewing time measuring unit 170 defines, for example,a point of time at which the registered user logs on to the informationprocessor 100 as a viewing start time, and measures a time havingelapsed from the viewing start time to measure the viewing time.

The viewing time measuring unit 170 may have, for example, a clockfunction, and may use time information inside the viewing time measuringunit 170. Alternatively, the viewing time measuring unit 170 may acquirethe time information from a server 1050 connected to an external network1040, via the communication I/F 113 and a wireless router shown in FIG.3 . Alternatively, the viewing time measuring unit 170 may acquire thetime information from a server 1040 via the mobile communication I/F 131and a base station 1010. Alternatively, the viewing time measuring unit170 may acquire the time information from a GPS signal received by theGPS receiver 135. The information processor 100 may acquire the timeinformation from a television signal received by the tuner/demodulator122. The viewing time measuring unit 170 calculates, for example, adifference from the viewing start time based on the time informationacquired through these methods, so that the viewing time is measured.

The viewing time measuring unit 170 may drive a timer inside theinformation processor 100 at the viewing start time, so that the viewingis measured. Alternatively, the viewing time measuring unit 170 maydrive a counter inside the information processor 100 at the viewingstart time, and convert the number of counts into the viewing time, sothat the viewing time is measured.

The viewing time measuring unit 170 may be composed of hardware orsoftware. For example, the viewing time measuring unit 170 may bemonolithically composed with the hardware such as the controller 114, ormay be integrated into another program.

The information storage 125 stores the contents information on theinformation processor 100, the viewing information on the registereduser described later, and others. The information storage 125 stores,for example, various pieces of program information such as a basicprogram for operating the information processor 100 and an applicationprogram for allowing the information processor 100 to achieve variousfunctions. The information storage 125 records, for example, variouspieces of setting information on the information processor 100,information created by the application program, the contents informationdisplayed on the display 117, the registered user information foridentifying the registered user in the information processor 100, theviewing information on the registered user such as the registered user'scumulative viewing time related to the determination made for limitingthe viewing of the registered user, and the viewing limit time that isan upper limit of the cumulative viewing time, and others.

The registered user information is, for example, a password, biologicalinformation such as a finger print and a finger venous pattern, or faceinformation that is needed when the registered user logs on to theinformation processor 100. In addition to these pieces of information,the information storage 125 further stores, for example, variouscontents such as a video/audio stream received from thetuner/demodulator 122, the communication I/F 113, and the mobilecommunication I/F 131.

The application program may be, for example, previously stored in theinformation storage 125 before shipment of the information processor100. Alternatively, the application program stored on a medium such asan optical medium such as a CD (Compact Disc) and a DVD (DigitalVersatile Disc) and a semiconductor memory may be installed in theinformation processor 100 via, for example, a medium connector not shownin the drawings. Alternatively, the application program may be installedafter being downloaded from an external network not shown via thecommunication I/F 113 and the wireless router not shown. Alternatively,the application program may be installed after being downloaded from adistributor via the mobile communication I/F 131 and the base stationnot shown. Alternatively, the application program may be installed byconnecting the information processor 100 via an external equipmentconnection I/F not shown to a personal computer (PC) that has acquiredthe application program via the external network, and moving or copyingthe application program from the PC to the information processor 100.Alternatively, the application program may be achieved by theabove-described software, or, for example, hardware having an equivalentfunction. When the application program is achieved by the hardware, eachfunction is achieved so that the hardware is a main component.

Note that the information storage 125 may be embedded into theinformation processor 100 or may be configured to be detachable to theinformation processor 100.

The tuner/demodulator 122, for example, receives television signalstransmitted from a broadcasting station 1020 shown in FIG. 3 anddemodulates the received television signals. The signal separator 121separates the television signals, that have been demodulated by thetuner/demodulator 122, into a television signal for each channel,various signals for an electronic program guide (EPG), or others.

In the memory 132, for example, the basic program, the applicationprogram, etc., read out of the information storage 125 are loaded. Thecontroller 114 executes the programs loaded in the memory 132, so thatvarious functions included in the respective programs are achieved.

The acceleration sensor 133 measures a size and a direction ofacceleration (e.g., gravitational acceleration) acting on theinformation processor 100. The acceleration sensor 133 outputsmeasurement values of the measured size and direction of acceleration tothe controller 114 as, for example, acceleration information. Theacceleration information may be stored in the information storage 125.

The geomagnetic sensor 134 measures a size and a direction ofgeomagnetism acting on the information processor 100. The geomagneticsensor 134 may be composed of, for example, a plurality of magneticsensors, so that the geomagnetism is measured by the plurality ofmagnetic sensors. The geomagnetic sensor 134 outputs the measured sizeand direction of the geomagnetism to the controller 114 as, for example,geomagnetic information. The geomagnetic information may be stored inthe information storage 125.

The communication I/F 113 is connected to the wireless router 1030 shownin FIG. 3 through, for example, a wireless LAN or others, and isconnected to the external network 1040 via the wireless router 1030.

The communication I/F 113, for example, transmits/receives the contentsinformation, the viewing information on the registered user, or othersto/from a server 1050 on the external network 1040.

In addition to the communication function with the wireless router 1030or in place of such a function, the communication I/F 113 may directlycommunicate with the server 1050 through the wireless LAN such as Wi-Fi(registered trademark) without using the wireless router 1030. Somepieces of the hardware for achieving these communication functions maybe mounted on the communication I/F 113, or these communicationfunctions may be achieved by one piece of the hardware. The connectionto the external network 1040 through the communication I/F 113 may beput before communication network connection through the mobilecommunication I/F 131.

The mobile communication I/F 131 is connected to the external network1040 via the base station 1010 shown in FIG. 3 , using athird-generation mobile communication system (which will hereinafter bereferred to as “3G”) such as a GSM (a registered trade mark) (GlobalSystem for Mobile Communications) system, a W-CDMA (Wideband CodeDivision Multiple Access) system, a CDMA 2000 system, and a UMTS(Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) or a mobile communicationnetwork such as an LTE (Long Term Evolution) system. The mobilecommunication I/F 131 may be composed of one or a plurality of pieces ofhardware that support these communication systems.

The communication I/F 113, for example, transmits/receives the contentsinformation, the viewing information on the registered user, or othersto/from the server 1050 on the external network 1040.

The information input unit 115 receives an operation on the informationprocessor 100 from the user to acquire the operation information. Theinformation input unit 115 may be, for example, a button for executingvarious operations in accordance with a state of the informationprocessor 100 or may be composed of one or a plurality of buttons eachcorresponding to a numeric character, a symbol or others, or may be, forexample, a touch panel monolithically composed with the display 117.Alternatively, the information input unit 115 may receive a signaltransmitted from a terminal such as a remote controller trough infraredcommunication, etc., to acquire the operation information from thereceived signal.

As the operation information, for example, information on an operationof switching on/off a power supply to the information processor 100,information on an operation of switching on/off the display 117 andothers are cited.

When the information input unit 115 receives the input of the password,for example, as the user information, the information input unit 115 mayfunction also as the user information acquiring unit.

When the information input unit 115 is the touch panel monolithicallycomposed with the display 117, note that the user can freely move anyobject (icon), etc., displayed on a screen, by an operation (draggingoperation) of moving the object, etc., while the object is being touchedwith a finger or an operation (flicking operation) of moving the object,etc., while the object is flicked with fingers on the touch panel. Theuser also can activate the object, etc., or switch the screen to anotherscreen by performing an operation (tapping operation) of tapping theobject, etc., with a finger once or an operation (double-tappingoperation) of the same twice.

The GPS receiver 135 receives GPS signals transmitted from a pluralityof satellites, using the GPS (Global Positioning System). The GPSreceiver 135, for example, outputs the received GPS signals to thecontroller 114. The received GPS signals may be stored in theinformation storage 125.

The gyrosensor 136 measures an angular velocity of the informationprocessor 100, the angular velocity being generated when the user movesthe information processor 100. The gyrosensor 136 outputs, for example,the measured angular velocity to the controller 114 as, for example,angular velocity information. The angular velocity information may bestored in the information storage 125.

The image-capturing unit 140 is composed of, for example, an opticalsystem such as a lens, an image sensor, a signal processing circuit, andothers. Controls made by the image-capturing unit 140 such as exposurecontrol, focus control, control of the number of pixels (e.g.,resolution) of an acquired image, compression control, and control oncaptured image storage are carried out in, for example, the controller114. These controls are carried out in accordance with, for example, aprogram for camera control. Specifically, the program for camera controlstored in the information storage 125 is loaded in the memory 132, andthe loaded program is executed by the controller 114, so that thesecontrols are carried out. As shown in FIG. 2 , the image-capturing unit140 may be provided on, for example, the user side (the display 117side) of the information processor 100 or the opposite side of the userside (the opposite side of the display 117 side) not shown. Further, theimage-capturing unit 140 may be provided on both of these sides.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the switch input unit 150 is connected to one or aplurality of buttons 151. The switch input unit 150 receives input ofthe switch information from the button 151, and outputs the receivedswitch information to the controller 114. Based on the switchinformation, the controller 114 carries out controls for switchingon/off of the information processor 100, each of start/stop operationsof the application program, and adjustment of an audio volume using twobuttons (turning up and down of the audio volume).

To the audio input/output unit 160, for example, the microphone 161serving as an audio input unit and the speaker 162 serving as an audiooutput unit are connected as shown in FIG. 1 . The audio input/outputunit 160, for example, receives input of audio information on the userthrough the microphone 161. The audio input/output unit 160, forexample, outputs the audio information through the speaker 162. Theaudio input/output unit 160 adjusts the audio volume based on anoperation of the above-described button 151.

The bus 101 is an internal bus connecting components of the informationprocessor 100 to one another. The components input and output variouspieces of information through the bus 101. The components may bedirectly connected to one another without using the bus 101. Forexample, when a large volume of information is handled, the informationmay be directly input and output between the input side and the outputside. In this manner, a load applied to the bus 101 is reduced.

The controller 114 controls each of the components making up theinformation processor 100. For example, the controller 114 executesvarious programs based on the operation information from the user, theoperation information being acquired by the information input unit 115,or the switch information acquired by the switch input unit 150, tocontrol such components as the signal separator 121, the display 117,and the communication I/F 113.

The controller 114, for example, acquires various pieces of informationsuch as the contents information and the viewing information on theregistered user, from the connected server 1050 on the external network1040 through the communication I/F 113 and the wireless router 1030. Thecontroller 114, for example, acquires various pieces of information suchas the contents information and the viewing information on theregistered user, from the connected server 1050 on the external network1040 through the mobile communication I/F 131 and the base station 1010.

The controller 114 carries out the switching on/off of the power supplyto the information processor 100, the switching on/off of the display117, the audio volume adjustment, and others, based on, for example, theoperation information and the switch information. When the operationinformation, the switch information, etc., is not input for, forexample, a certain period of time or longer, the controller 114 mayswitches the display 117 off.

The controller 114 calculates acceleration (e.g., gravitationalacceleration) acting on the information processor 100, based on theacceleration information output from the acceleration sensor 133. Basedon the calculated acceleration, the controller 114 determines which partof the information processor 100 is on the upper side, that is, detectsan orientation of the information processor 100. The controller 114displays the screen so that, for example, an upper side of the screendisplayed on the display 117 matches the upper side measured by theacceleration sensor 133. In this manner, the controller 114 displays thescreen in accordance with how to hold the information processor 100 bythe user. The controller 114 calculates position information on theinformation processor 100, based on the GPS signal output from the GPSreceiver 135. The controller 114 detects a motion of the informationprocessor 100, based on the angular velocity information output from thegyrosensor 136.

The controller 114 identifies the user when, for example, the display117 is switched on. Specifically, the controller 114 determines whetherthe user who intends to use the information processor 100 is thepreviously-registered user or not. The controller 114 determines whetherthe user is the registered user or not by, for example, comparingregistered user information on the registered user, such as a user ID, acode, a password, biological information, and face information, theregistered user information being previously stored in the informationstorage 125, with the user information acquired by the user informationacquiring unit 116.

When the user is the registered user, the controller 114 compares acumulative viewing time that is a cumulative total of viewing timescumulated within a certain period of time with a viewing limit time thatis a previously-set upper limit of the cumulative viewing time. Thecertain period of time is a period in which the cumulative viewing timeis calculated, and the cumulative viewing time is reset when thepredetermined time has elapsed. A reset time at which the cumulativeviewing time is reset may be set to be, for example, 3:00 AM, and 24hours from 3:00 AM to 3:00 AM on a next day may be set to apredetermined time. The reset time may be set to other time, thepredetermined time may be shorter or longer than 24 hours. These resettime and certain time may be set on the information processor 100 todefault values or may be set freely by the user.

When the cumulative viewing time is equal to or longer than the viewinglimit time, the controller 114 gives a warning to the registered user.For example, the controller 114 causes the display 117 to display awarning screen showing a warning to the registered user whose cumulativeviewing time exceeds the viewing limit time. Alternatively, thecontroller 114 causes the speaker 162 to emit a warning sound.

The wireless router 1030 has a wireless LAN function such as Wi-Fi, andis connected to the external network 1040 shown in FIG. 3 through acommunication line. The wireless router 1030 is connected also to theinformation processor 100 and to an external network 1040. Note that theWi-Fi is standards for a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) defined byIEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) standards “IEEE802.11a/IEEE 802.11b”.

The wireless router 1030 has two interfaces on a LAN side and a WAN(Wide Area Network) side, and different IP addresses are assigned tothese interfaces, respectively. Specifically, to the interface on theWAN side, a global IP address identifiable on the Internet is assigned.To the interface o the LAN side, a private IP address usable in a closednetwork is assigned. In addition, the wireless router 1030 has afirewall function of limiting access from the external network 1040 andan NAPT (Network Address Port Translation) function of transforming theprivate address into the global address or the global address into theprivate address.

The information processor 100 is capable of transmitting and receivingvarious pieces of information and contents to and from the server 1050connected to the external network 1040, via the communication I/F 113and the wireless router 1030 or via the mobile communication I/F 131 andthe base station 1010.

Next, a method of recording the viewing information on the registereduser in the information processor 100 will be described. In the presentembodiment, a case of an assumption in which one user registered as anidentified individual in the information processor 100 is the user willbe described. In the following description, note that various functionsmay be achieved by hardware or by a process in which each applicationprogram is loaded into the memory 132 and is executed by the controller114.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart related to amethod of recording the viewing information according to the firstembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing anexample of a UI image displayed at user authentication according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention.

At step S1001, a user who intends to use the information processor 100is identified. In other words, step S1001 is a user authentication stepat which it is determined whether or not the user who intends to use theinformation processor 100 is the registered user who has been previouslyregistered as a user of the information processor 100.

Note that the registered user information on the registered user isstored in the information storage 125 of the information processor 100or in the server 1050 on the network 1040 so as to be associated withthe terminal information on the information processor 100, through aregistration operation previously carried out by a user who wants to beregistered. For example, the viewing information on the registered usersuch as the viewing limit time and the reset time may be previouslystored in the information storage 125 by an administrative user or bythe registered user himself/herself, or may be stored in the server 1050so as to be associated with the terminal information on the informationprocessor 100.

The administrative user determines whether the registered user hasauthority for setting the viewing information. For example, based on thedetermination made by the administrative user, it is determined whetheronly the administrative user is allowed to set the viewing informationor the registered user is also allowed to set the viewing information.The administrative user may be the registered user or may be a userdifferent from the registered user.

Based on the user information and the registered user information foridentifying the registered user, the controller 114 determines whether auser is the registered user. When the information processor 100 detectsa press to the button 151 of the switch input unit 150, the informationinput unit 115, the user information acquiring unit 116, or others, thecontroller 114 switches the display 117 on to cause it to display, forexample, the UI image requesting the input of the user information. Forexample, the controller 114 causes the display 117 to display a passwordinput screen 201 requesting input of the password as shown in FIG. 5 .On the password input screen 201, for example, a (on-screen) softwarekeyboard handling each number of “0” to “9” as shown in FIG. 5 may bedisplayed, or a software keyboard having combination of numbers andsymbols may be displayed.

Then, as the user information, the information processor 100 acquiresthe password input by the user. The acquired password is output to thecontroller 114. The controller 114 verifies matching between theacquired password and a password registered previously as the registereduser information, and determines whether the user who intends to use theinformation processor 100 is the registered user. In other words, whenthe input password matches the registered password, the controller 114determines that the user is the registered user. In this case, it isdetermined that the user has touched the numbers on the displayedkeyboard in the same order as an order of the registered password. Then,the registered user is able to log on to the information processor 100,and, for example, an initial screen to be displayed after the log-on tothe information processor 100, the contents information, or others isdisplayed on the display 117.

On the other hand, when the input password does not match the registeredpassword, the controller 114 determines that the user is not theregistered user. In this case, it is determined that the user hastouched the numbers on the displayed keyboard in a different order fromthe order of the registered password. The user is not able to log on tothe information processor 100. However, on the display 117 in this case,an image, etc., notifying that the input password is different from theregistered password may be displayed, or the password input screen 201encouraging the user to re-enter the password may be displayed.

As described above, note that the controller 114 may use the registereduser information stored in the information storage 125 or the registereduser information stored in, for example, the server 1050. In theabove-described example, the case of the password made up of the numbersand the symbols has been described. However, in addition to this,selection of a letter or an image, track of the touch, and or others mayalso be used as the user information.

In the above-described example, the case of the display 117 that is thetouch panel composed together with the information input unit 115 hasbeen described. However, in addition to this, the information input unit115 may be made up of buttons in accordance with the above-describedsoftware keyboard and the password may be input through these buttons.

As the registered user information, for example, biological informationsuch as the finger print and the finger venous pattern may be used. Insuch a case, for example, the user inputs the user information by, forexample, causing the user information acquiring unit 116 having abiosensor to read the biological information such as the finger printand the finger venous pattern. The user information acquiring unit 116acquires the biological information as the user information, and outputsthe acquired biological information to the controller 114. Thecontroller 114 determines whether the user is the registered user or notby verifying matching between the acquired biological information andthe biological information registered as the registered userinformation.

Further, for example, the face information may also be used as theregistered user information. In such a case, an image of the user iscaptured by the image-capturing unit 140, and the face informationextracted from the user image is input as the user information. FIG. 6is a diagram showing an example of the user image created by theimage-capturing unit. The image-capturing unit 140 captures the userimage, and creates, for example, a user image 301 as shown in FIG. 6 .The image-capturing unit 140 extracts face information 311 from the userimage 301, and outputs the extracted face information 311 to thecontroller 114, as the face information on the user. Alternatively, theimage-capturing unit 140 may output the user image 301 to the controller114, and then, the controller 114 may extract the face information 311from the user image 301. When the information processor 100 detects apress to the button 151, etc., of the switch input unit 150, theimage-capturing unit 140 may automatically start to capture the userimage, and carry out the log-on process without the user's operation.

The controller 114 determines whether the user is the registered user byverifying matching the acquired face information and the faceinformation on the registered user.

The methods of identifying the user in the information processor 100have been described. It is only required for the information processor100 to identify the user by any one of the above-described methods, andit is not always required to carry out all of these methods. When theuser who intends to use the information processor 100 is determined tobe the registered user as described above, the process flow proceeds tostep S1002.

At step S1002, the viewing time measuring unit 170 starts to measure theviewing time during which the registered user views the contentsinformation, etc., displayed on the display 117. For example, thecontroller 114 outputs a viewing time measurement start signalencouraging the start of the measurement of the registered user'sviewing time, to the viewing time measuring unit 170, and the viewingtime measuring unit 170 starts to measure the registered user's viewingtime based on the input viewing time measurement start signal.

The controller 114 may determine, for example, a time at which theregistered user has logged on to the information processor 100 andstarted viewing contents information to be the viewing start time or maydetermine a time at which the display 117 has been switched on to be theviewing start time. The viewing time measuring unit 170 may measure anelapsed time by calculating a difference from the viewing start time ormay measure a time elapsed from the viewing start time, using a timer,to measure the viewing time. The viewing time measuring unit 170, forexample, outputs the measured viewing time to the controller 114. Theviewing time measuring unit 170 may output information on the measuredviewing time at a predetermined cycle, or output the information inresponse to, for example, a request from the controller 114.Alternatively, the viewing time measuring unit 170 may output theviewing information on the viewing time to the information storage 125to record the viewing information on the viewing time in the informationstorage 125. The viewing information on the viewing time may betransmitted to the server 1050 on the external network 1040, via thecommunication I/F 113 or the mobile communication I/F 131 to be recordedin the server 1050 as the viewing information. When the measurement ofthe registered user's viewing time is started in this manner, theprocess flow proceeds to step S1004. Note that the viewing timemeasuring unit 170 consecutively measure the registered user's viewingtime while steps S1004 to S1008 are executed until the measurement istopped at step S1009 described later.

At step S1004, the controller 114 calculates a cumulative viewing timethat is a cumulative total of the viewing times cumulated within apredetermined period of time. Specifically, when the registered user hasviewed the information several times within the predetermined period oftime, the controller 114 calculate the cumulative viewing time up tocurrent viewing by, for example, summing the viewing time of the currentviewing and the cumulative viewing time that is a sum of viewing timesof respective viewings up to previous viewing except for the currentviewing. Alternatively, the controller 114 may calculate the cumulativeviewing time by summing viewing times of respective viewings up to thecurrent viewing. The viewing information on the calculated cumulativeviewing time is recorded in, for example, the information storage 125 orthe server 1050.

When the registered user's cumulative viewing time is calculated in thismanner, the process flow proceeds to step S1005. Note that thecontroller 114 consecutively calculates the registered user's cumulativeviewing time while the steps S1002 to S1008 are executed until stoppingthe measurement at step S1009 described later.

At step S1005, the controller 114 compares the cumulative viewing timecalculated at step S1004 with the viewing limit time. When thecontroller 114 determines (NO) that the cumulative viewing time isshorter than the viewing limit time, the process flow proceeds to stepS1008.

On the other hand, when the controller 114 determines (YES) that thecumulative viewing time is equal to or longer than the viewing limittime, the process flow proceeds to step S1006. At step S1006, thecontroller 114 gives a warning to the registered user. FIG. 7 is adiagram showing an example of the warning image to the registered useraccording to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7 ,for example, a warning notification image 401 warning the registereduser of the excess of the viewing limit time is displayed so as tooverlap the contents information displayed on the display 117.Information on such a notification image 401 is stored in, for example,the information storage 125 or the server 1050.

For example, when a purpose of the warning is the notification of theexcess of the viewing limit time, the warning image may be displayed ata position and with size not affecting the viewing so much. When it isdesirable to, for example, stop the viewing of the registered user, thenotification image 401 may be displayed in, for example, front of thecontents information as shown in FIG. 7 . A size of the notificationimage may be suitably changed in accordance with time exceeding from theviewing limit time. Specifically, a small notification image may bedisplayed right after the cumulative viewing time reaches the viewinglimit time, but a larger notification image may be displayed as theexcess time is larger.

In such a case, for example, as the warning image 401 as shown in FIG. 7, the controller 114 may display the current cumulative viewing time upto the current viewing or the viewing limit time together with theviewing time. The warning to the registered user may be, for example,not the display of the warning image 401 but emission of warning soundfrom the speaker 162, switching off of the display of the contentsinformation, or others.

The controller 114 may notify the administrative user of a fact that theregistered user's cumulative viewing time has exceeded the viewing limittime. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a notification image tothe administrative user according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention. For example, the controller 114 transmits viewing limit timeexcess information indicating that the registered user's cumulativeviewing time has exceeded the viewing limit time, to an informationprocessor used by the administrative user. Based on the received viewinglimit time excess information, the administrative user's informationprocessor displays, for example, a notification image 701 notifying thatthe viewing time of the registered user has exceeded the viewing limittime as shown in FIG. 8 . Then, the process flow proceeds to step S1008.

At step S1008, it is determined whether or not the measurement of theregistered user's viewing time is continued. Specifically, when thecontroller 114 determines (YES) that the registered user has logged onto the information processor 100, and besides, that the information isbeing displayed on the display 117, the process flow returns to stepS1004. The, the controller 114 executes the above-described steps S1004to S1008 again to continue the measurement of the registered user'sviewing time.

On the other hand, when the controller 114 determines (NO) that theregistered user has logged off from the information processor 100 orthat the information is not being displayed on the display 117, theprocess flow proceeds to step S1009.

At step S1009, the viewing time measuring unit 170 stops the measurementof the registered user's viewing time. For example, to the viewing timemeasuring unit 170, the controller 114 outputs a viewing timemeasurement stop signal for stopping the measurement of the registereduser's viewing time. Based on the input viewing time measurement stopsignal, the viewing time measuring unit 170 stops the measurement of theregistered user's viewing time. At this time, the viewing time measuringunit 170 may output the viewing information on the measured viewing timeto the information storage 125 so that the viewing time is recorded inthe information storage 125. Consequently, the controller 114 stops thecalculation of the registered user's cumulative viewing time. Theprocess flow then proceeds to step S1010.

At step S1010, the warning to the registered user is canceled. Forexample, when the warning image 401 is displayed on the display 117 atstep S1006, the controller 114 erases the warning image 401, so that thewarning to the registered user is canceled. Alternatively, when thewarning sound is emitted, the controller 114 cancels the warning by, forexample, stopping the warning sound. When the warning to the registereduser is canceled in this manner, the process flow proceeds to stepS1011.

At step S1011, the controller 114 determines whether the registered userhas logged off from the information processor 100. When the controller114 determines (YES) that the registered user has logged off from theinformation processor 100, a series of steps for the method of recodingthe viewing information on the registered user are ended.

On the other hand, when the controller 114 determines (NO) that theregistered user has not logged off from the information processor 100,the process flow proceeds to step S1012.

At step S1012, the controller 114 determines whether the information isbeing displayed on the display 117. When the controller 114 determines(YES) that the information is being displayed on the display 117, theprocess flow proceeds to step S1002. The, the controller 114 starts themeasurement of the registered user's viewing time again.

On the other hand, when the controller 114 determines (NO) that theinformation is not being displayed on the display 117, the process flowproceeds to step S1011, so that it is determined again whether theregistered user has logged off from the information processor 100.

By the execution of these steps S1001 to S1012, the viewing informationon the registered user is recorded in the information processor 100.Note that the viewing information to be recorded is not limited to theabove-described viewing information. For example, authenticationinformation, detailed logs on equipment use, etc., may be recorded asthe viewing information.

According to the present embodiment, the viewing time measuring unit 170measures the registered user's viewing time, and the controller 114calculates the registered user's cumulative viewing time cumulatedwithin the predetermined period of time, compares the cumulative viewingtime with the viewing limit time that is the upper limit of thecumulative viewing time, and gives the warning to the registered userwhen the cumulative viewing time is equal to or longer than the viewinglimit time.

According to this configuration, by the warning notified by theinformation processor 100, the registered user can recognize that thecumulative viewing time cumulated within the predetermined period oftime has reached the viewing limit time. Therefore, even when thecumulative viewing time has exceeded the viewing limit time during theviewing of the information, the viewing by the registered user can besuppressed. As a result, the viewing information such as the registereduser's cumulative viewing time can be suitably recorded.

According to the present embodiment, the controller 114 gives a warningto the registered user in the form of the warning image 401 displayed onthe display 117. According to this configuration, the warning image 401is displayed together with contents information. The registered user is,therefore, able to quickly stop viewing the contents information. As aresult, the registered user's cumulative viewing time can be recordedsuitably.

According the present embodiment, the controller 114 gives a warning tothe registered user by causing the speaker 162 to emit a warning sound.According to this configuration, the registered user recognizes thewarning through the warning sound, and is therefore able to quickly stopviewing the contents information even when looking away from theinformation processor 100. As a result, the registered user's cumulativeviewing time can be recorded suitably.

According the present embodiment, the registered user information andthe viewing information on the cumulative viewing time and viewing limittime, etc., are stored in the information storage 125. According to thisconfiguration, the viewing information is recorded in the informationprocessor 100, and therefore, the controller 114 can quickly record theviewing information on the registered user. In addition, it is notrequired to use the external network 1040, and therefore, the load onthe network is reduced.

According to the present embodiment, the password input from theinformation input unit 115 is acquired as the user information.According to this configuration, the registered user is able to log onto the information processor 100 by a simple method, and therefore, theinformation processor 100 offering both security and convenience isprovided.

According to the present embodiment, the user information acquiring unit116 has the biosensor and acquires the biological information such asthe user's finger print and finger venous pattern, as the userinformation. According to this configuration, the user informationacquiring unit 116 is able to acquire more accurate user information foridentifying the user, and therefore, the user authentication can be moreaccurately carried out. As a result, the information processor 100 withmore improved security is provided.

According to the present embodiment, the face information is extractedfrom the user image created by the image-capturing unit 140, and theinformation processor 100 acquires the face information as the userinformation. According to this configuration, the user can acquire theface information by only causing the image-capturing unit 140 to capturethe image of the user himself/herself, and therefore, a work load on theuser at the time of user authentication is reduced. Further, the faceinformation can be used as the user information, and therefore, theinformation processor 100 with the improved security can be provided.

According to the present embodiment, when the registered user'scumulative viewing time exceeds the viewing limit time, the informationprocessor used by the administrative user is notified of the excess.According to this configuration, the administrative user can recognizethat the registered user is viewing the contents information for longertime than the viewing limit time.

According to the present embodiment, the information processor 100 isprovided as a smartphone. According to this configuration, many usershave their own smartphones, and therefore, the viewing information onthe registered users can be suitably recorded.

Second Embodiment

In the present embodiment, a case in which a plurality of users areregistered in the information processor 100 will be described. Theinformation processor 100 according to the present embodiment is, forexample, a smartphone, a cellular phone, a tablet terminal, a personalcomputer, or others.

Note that the registered user information on the plurality of registeredusers is stored so as to be associated with terminal information on theinformation processor 100, into the information storage 125 of theinformation processor 100 or the server 1050 on the network 1040,through the registration operation previously carried out by a user whointends to be registered. Alternatively, for example, by theadministrative user or the registered user himself/herself, the viewinginformation on the registered user such as the viewing limit time andthe reset time may be recorded previously in the information storage 125or may be recorded into the server 1050 so as to be associated with theterminal information on the information processor 100. Alternatively,the administrative user may be one of the registered users or adifferent user from the registered users.

Here, a method of recording the viewing information on the registeredusers when the plurality of users are registered will be described withreference to the flowchart of FIG. 4 . In the following description, adescriptive content that overlaps a descriptive content of the firstembodiment will be omitted in principle.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are diagrams each showing an example of an imagedisplayed at the user authentication according to the second embodimentof the present invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of amethod of recording the viewing information on the registered usersaccording to the second embodiment of the present invention.

At step S1001, it is determined whether the user who intends to use theinformation processor 100 is one of the plurality of registered userswho have been previously registered as the users of the informationprocessor 100. To the user who intends to use the information processor100, the controller 114 causes the display 117 to display, for example,a user selection screen 501 for selecting the registered user as shownin FIG. 9 . On the user selection screen 501, as shown in FIG. 9 , forexample, a registered user name, an icon with the face informationassociated with the registered user name, and others, are displayed.When the user taps, for example, an icon associated with the userhimself/herself, the registered user associated with the tapped icon isselected. Subsequently, the controller 114 requests the user to inputthe user information. Specifically, the controller 114 causes thedisplay 117 to display, for example, a password input screen 601 asshown in FIG. 10 .

On the password input screen 601, for example, as shown in FIG. 10 , theselected registered user name and face information, a software keyboardfor the password input, etc., are displayed. When the password is inputthrough the password input screen 601, the information processor 100acquires the password as the user information. The controller 114determines whether the user who intends to use the information processor100 is the selected registered user by verifying matching between theinput password and the password of the selected registered user.

At step S1004, the controller 114 calculates the cumulative viewing timeof the selected registered user (the registered user who has logged on),which is cumulated within a predetermined period of time. In otherwords, the controller 114 calculates the cumulative viewing time foreach registered user.

In the information storage 125 and the server 1050, the viewinginformation such as the cumulative viewing time and the viewing limittime is recorded for each of the registered users. Specifically, asshown in FIG. 11 , the viewing information such as a user ID,administrator information, the viewing limit time, the reset time, thecumulative viewing time, and the viewing start time is recorded in atable for each of the registered users. The administrator information isinformation for determining whether the registered user is theadministrative user. In FIG. 11 , a user with a user ID “001” is theadministrative user. In FIG. 11 , note that the viewing limit time isdifferent for each of the registered users. Further, the reset time,etc., may also be different for each of the registered users.

At step S1005, the controller 114 compares the cumulative viewing timewith the viewing limit time for each registered user. When thecontroller 114 determines that the cumulative viewing time of theregistered user who has logged on to the information processor 100 andviewing the contents information is equal to or longer than the viewinglimit time, the process flow proceeds to step S1006. On the other hand,when the controller 114 determines that the cumulative viewing time ofthe registered user who has logged on is shorter than the viewing limittime, the process flow proceeds to step S1008.

At step S1006, the controller 114 gives the warning to the registereduser who has logged on. The controller 114 causes the display 117 todisplay, for example, the warning image 401 warning that the cumulativeviewing time of the registered user who has logged on is equal to orlonger than the viewing limit time as shown in FIG. 7 . In other words,even if the cumulative viewing time of a different user is equal to orlonger than the viewing limit time, when the cumulative viewing time ofthe registered user who has logged on is shorter than the viewing limittime, the warning image 401 is not displayed. For example, in FIG. 11 ,the cumulative viewing time of a registered user with a user ID “003” islonger than the viewing limit time. When the registered user with theuser ID “003” is using the information processor 100, the warning image401 is displayed. However, when a different registered user from theuser is using the information processor 100, the warning image 401 isnot displayed.

According to the present embodiment, the information processor 100records the viewing information on the plurality of registered users.And, the controller 114 gives the warning only when the cumulativeviewing time of the user who has logged on is equal to or longer thanthe viewing limit time. According to this configuration, only thecontents information viewing by the registered user who is a target forthe warning is limited, and therefore, a different registered user canuse the information processor 100 without the limitation of the contentsviewing.

Third Embodiment

In the present embodiment, a case in which the warning is given alsowhen the registered user has consecutively viewed the information for apredetermined period of time will be described. The informationprocessor 100 according to the present embodiment is, for example, asmartphone, a cellular phone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, orothers.

For example, note that the viewing information on the registered user,such as a consecutive viewing limit time that is a previously-set upperlimit of the consecutive viewing time, a predetermined break time, theviewing limit time, and the reset time, may be previously recorded intothe information storage 125 or the server 1050 so as to be associatedwith the terminal information on the information processor 100 by theadministrative user or the registered user himself/herself. Theadministrative user may be one of the registered users or a differentuser from the registered users.

Here, a method of recording the viewing information on the registeredusers when the plurality of users are registered will be described withreference to the flowchart of FIG. 4 . In the following description,note that a descriptive content that overlaps a descriptive content ofthe first embodiment will be omitted in principle.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the method of recording theviewing information on the registered users according to the thirdembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing anexample of the warning image to the registered user according to thethird embodiment of the present invention.

At step S1002, the viewing time measuring unit 170 starts themeasurement of the viewing time during which the registered user hasviewed the contents information, etc., displayed on the display 117.This viewing time measured by the viewing time measuring unit 170 isalso the consecutive viewing time during which the registered user hasconsecutively viewed the contents information. Therefore, the viewingtime measuring unit 170 starts the measurement of the consecutiveviewing time by staring the measurement of the viewing time.

The viewing time measuring unit 170, for example, outputs the measuredconsecutive viewing time to the controller 114. The viewing timemeasuring unit 170 may output the information on the measuredconsecutive viewing time at, for example, a predetermined cycle, oroutput it in accordance with, for example, a request from the controller114. Alternatively, the viewing time measuring unit 170 may outputviewing information on the consecutive viewing time to the informationstorage 125 so that the viewing information on the consecutive viewingtime is stored in the information storage 125. Alternatively, theviewing information on the consecutive viewing time may be transmittedto the server 1050 on the external network 1040 via the communicationI/F 113 or the mobile communication I/F 131 and be recorded in theserver 1050.

Into the information storage 125 and the server 1050, the viewinginformation on the consecutive viewing and the viewing information onthe cumulative viewing are recorded for each registered user.Specifically, the viewing information on the cumulative viewing isrecorded into, for example, a table shown in FIG. 11 , and the viewinginformation on the consecutive viewing is recorded into, for example, atable shown in FIG. 12 . In FIG. 12 , viewing information such as theuser ID, the administrator information, the viewing limit rime, theconsecutive viewing limit time, a break time, and a break end time, isrecorded for each registered user. Note that the consecutive viewingtime may be calculated from, for example, the viewing start timerecorded into the table of FIG. 11 , or the consecutive viewing time(the viewing time) may be recorded into the tables of FIGS. 11 and 12 .

At step S1005, the controller 114 determines each of the cumulativeviewing time and the consecutive viewing time. Specifically, when thecontroller 114 determines (NO) that the cumulative viewing time isshorter than the viewing limit time, and besides, that the consecutiveviewing time is shorter than the consecutive viewing limit time, theprocess flow proceeds to step S1008.

When the controller 114 determines otherwise, the process flow proceedsto step S1006. At step S1006, the controller 114 give the warning to theregistered user. Firstly, when the cumulative viewing time is equal toor longer than the viewing limit time, and besides, when the consecutiveviewing time is shorter than the consecutive viewing limit time, thecontroller 114 carries out the same controls as those in theabove-described first and second embodiments. Secondly, when thecumulative viewing time is equal to or longer than the viewing limittime, and besides, when the consecutive viewing time is equal to orlonger than the consecutive viewing limit time, the controller 114 alsocarries out the same controls as those in the above-described first andsecond embodiments.

Thirdly, when the cumulative viewing time is shorter than the viewinglimit time, and besides, when the consecutive viewing time is equal toor longer than the consecutive viewing limit time, the controller 114warns the registered user who has logged on that the user should take apredetermined break time. The controller 114 outputs the break end timeof the registered user who has been warned, to the information storage125, and the information storage 125 records viewing information on theinput break end time into the table. The viewing time measuring unit 170starts the measurement of the break time of the registered user who hasbeen warned. For example, the controller 114 outputs a break-timemeasurement start signal for starting the measurement of the break timeof the registered user, to the viewing time measuring unit 170. Based onthe input break-time measurement start signal, the viewing timemeasuring unit 170 starts the measurement of the break time of theregistered user.

The viewing time measuring unit 170 measures the break time in anassumption that, for example, a time at which the consecutive viewingtime of the registered user reaches the consecutive viewing limit timeis set as the break start time. The viewing time measuring unit 170 mayoutput information on the measured break time at, for example, apredetermined cycle, or output it in accordance with, for example, arequest from the controller 114. Alternatively, the viewing timemeasuring unit 170 may output the viewing information on the measuredbreak time or others to the information storage 125 so that the viewinginformation on the break time is recorded into the information storage125. Alternatively, the viewing information on the break time of theregistered user or others may be transmitted to the server 1050 on theexternal network 1040, via the communication I/F 113 or the mobilecommunication I/F 131 and be recorded into the server 1050.

For example, the controller 114 causes the display 117 to display awarning image 801 warning the registered user that the user should takethe break time as shown in FIG. 13 . At this time, the controller 114may cause the display 117 to display, for example, a remaining breaktime in the warning image 801.

The warning image 801 is displayed when the consecutive viewing time ofthe registered user who has logged on is equal to or longer than theconsecutive viewing limit time. In other words, even if the consecutiveviewing time of the different registered user is equal to or longer thanthe consecutive viewing limit time, when the cumulative viewing time ofthe registered user who has logged on is shorter than the viewing limittime, the warning image 801 is not displayed.

In an example of combination of FIGS. 11 and 12 , a registered user witha user ID “002” has a cumulative viewing time not exceeding a viewinglimit time. Therefore, when the consecutive viewing time of theregistered user with the user ID “002” exceeds the consecutive viewinglimit time, the warning image 801 shown in FIG. 13 is displayed. On theother hand, the registered user with the user ID “003” has a cumulativeviewing time exceeding a viewing limit time. Therefore, even when theconsecutive viewing time of the registered user with the user ID “003”exceeds the consecutive viewing limit time, the warning image 801 shownin FIG. 13 is not displayed.

When the predetermined break time has elapsed, the controller 114 erasesthe warning image 801. The controller 114 outputs a break timemeasurement stop signal for stopping the measurement of the break timeto the viewing time measuring unit 170. Based on the input break timemeasurement stop signal, the viewing time measuring unit 170 stops themeasurement of the break time of the registered user.

The controller 114 resets the consecutive viewing time (viewing time).Specifically, the controller 114 outputs a consecutive viewing timereset signal for resetting the consecutive viewing time to the viewingtime measuring unit 170. Based on the input consecutive viewing timereset signal, the viewing time measuring unit 170 resets the measuredconsecutive viewing time.

At step S1009, the viewing time measuring unit 170 stops the measurementof the registered user's consecutive viewing time (viewing time). Whenthe break time has been measured, the viewing time measuring unit 170also stops the measurement of the break time.

At step S1010, when the registered user is taking the break time, thecontroller 114 erases the warning image 801.

According to the present embodiment, when the registered user'scumulative viewing time is shorter than the viewing limit time and theregistered user's consecutive viewing time is equal to or longer thanthe consecutive viewing limit time, the controller 114 warns theregistered user that the user should take the predetermined break time.

According to this configuration, the viewing of the contents informationcan be limited for the registered user also on the basis of theconsecutive viewing time. As a result, the viewing information on theregistered user can be suitably recorded.

According to the present embodiment, when a plurality of users areregistered in the information processor 100, only the registered userwho has logged on to the information processor 100 is warned that theuser should take the predetermined break time. According to thisconfiguration, only the viewing by the registered user who is using theinformation processor 100 is limited. As a result, the viewing times ofthe plurality of registered users are suitably recorded.

According to the present embodiment, the information processor 100records the viewing information on the plurality of users. And, thecontroller 114 gives the warning only when the consecutive viewing timeof the registered user who has logged on is equal to or longer than theconsecutive viewing limit time. According to this configuration, onlythe contents information viewing by the registered user who is thetarget of the warning is limited. Therefore, the different registereduser can use the information processor 100 without the limitation of thecontents viewing.

Fourth Embodiment

In the present embodiment, a method of recording the viewing informationwhen the user views the contents of the information processor 100without carrying out the log-on operation will be described. The presentembodiment is applicable to not only a case of individual usage by theuser but also a case of simultaneous viewing by the plurality of users.Therefore, the information processor 100 according to the presentembodiment is, for example, a smartphone, a cellular phone, a tabletterminal, a personal computer, a television, or others.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart related to themethod of recording the viewing information according to the fourthembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing anexample of a situation in which the plurality of users are viewingcontents of the information processor. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing anexample of acquired face information on the users.

The method of recording the viewing information on the registered usersaccording to the present embodiment will be described along theflowchart of FIG. 14 . In the following description, note that adescriptive content that overlaps descriptive contents of the first tothird embodiments will be omitted in principle.

At step S3001, imaging captures for the users who are viewing thecontents of the information processor 100 are started. Specifically,when the contents information or others is displayed on the display 117of the information processor 100 by operation of a power switch on amain body of the processor or a power button on a remote controller, theimage-capturing unit 140 starts the image captures for the users who areviewing the contents of the information processor 100. FIG. 15 shows acase in which, for example, a plurality of users 931 to 933 are viewingthe contents information displayed on the information processor 100. Theimage-capturing unit 140 captures the images of these users 931 to 933to create, for example, a user image 901 as shown in FIG. 16 . When theimage-capturing unit 140 starts the image captures for the users 931 to933, the process flow proceeds to step S3002.

At step S3002, the information processor 100 acquires the viewinginformation on the registered users. This viewing information includesvarious pieces of information on the registered users described here,such as the registered user information, the cumulative viewing time,the viewing limit time, the consecutive viewing time, the consecutiveviewing limit time, and the predetermined break time. The registereduser information described here is, for example, the face information onthe registered users.

When the viewing information on the registered users is recorded in theinformation storage 125, the controller 114 acquires various pieces ofinformation on the registered users from the information storage 125.When the viewing information on the registered users is recorded in, forexample, the server 1050 on the external network 1040, the controller114 acquires the viewing information on the registered users from, forexample, the server 1050 on the external network 1040 via thecommunication I/F 113 or the mobile communication I/F 131. Note that thecontroller 114 acquires the viewing information on all the registeredusers who have been registered in the information processor 100. Notethat the process at step S3002 may be carried out prior to the processat step S3001. Subsequently, the process flow proceeds to step S3003.

At step S3003, the registered users are detected from the imagescaptured by the image-capturing unit 140. Specifically, theimage-capturing unit 140 extracts face information 941 to faceinformation 943 on the respective registered users as the userinformation from the user image 901. To the controller 114, theimage-capturing unit 140 outputs the extracted face information 941 toface information 943. Alternatively, the image-capturing unit 140 mayoutput the user image 901 to the controller 114, and the controller 114may extract the face information 941 to face information 943. In theextraction of the face information 941 to face information 943, thecontroller 114 and the image-capturing unit 140 may detect directions ofthe registered users' faces or lines of sights of the registered users.

Based on the user information and the registered user information, thecontroller 114 then determines whether the users are the registeredusers. Specifically, the controller 114 compares the face information941 to face information 943 serving as the user information (faceinformation) with the registered user information acquired at stepS3002. The controller 114 determines users whose face information 941 toface information 943 match the registered user information as theregistered users, and determines users who face information 941 to faceinformation 943 do not match the registered user information as usersother than the registered users. The controller 114 detects theregistered users in this manner.

During activation of the information processor 100, the image-capturingunit 140 captures the images of the users who are viewing the contentsinformation displayed on the display 117 several times, for example,consecutively. Every time the image-capturing unit 140 captures theimages of the users, the controller 114 determines whether the user whois viewing the contents information is the registered user, and detectsthe registered user. Such a registered user detection process is carriedout during the activation of the information processor 100. When theregistered users are detected in this manner, the process flow proceedsto step S3004.

At step S3004, measurement of the viewing time of the registered userswho have been detected at step S3003 is started. Specifically, theviewing time measuring unit 170 measures a time during which the user isdetermined to be the registered user at step S3003, as the viewing time.At this step, when a plurality of registered users are detected, theviewing time measuring unit 170 simultaneously measures the viewing timeof each of the registered users.

Note that the viewing time measuring unit 170 may measure the viewingtime in accordance with the direction of the face of the registered userdetected at step S3003. For example, the viewing time measuring unit 170measures the viewing time when the registered user faces the directionof the information processor 100, and does not need to measure theviewing time when the registered user does not face the direction of theinformation processor 100.

The viewing time measuring unit 170 may measure the viewing time inaccordance with the direction of the line of sight of the registereduser detected at step S3003. For example, the viewing time measuringunit 170 measures the viewing time when the line of sight of theregistered user is directed at the information processor 100, and doesnot need to measure the viewing time when the line of sight of theregistered user is not directed at the information processor 100.

When the registered user who has been already detected by theinformation processor 100 is not detected only for a short period oftime that is shorter than the predetermined period of time but is thendetected again, the viewing time measuring unit 170 may measure suchperiods of time including the period of time when the user has not beendetected, as the viewing time (consecutive viewing time). Whenmeasurement of the registered user's viewing time is started in thismanner, the process flow proceeds to step S3005.

At step S3005, when there is the registered user who is not detectedduring the viewing time measurement, the viewing time measuring unit 170stops the measurement of the viewing time of this registered user. Theviewing time measuring unit 170 consecutively measures the viewing timeof the different registered user. When the measurement of the viewingtime of the registered user who is not detected during it is stopped,the process flow proceeds to step S3006.

At step S3006, the controller 114 calculates the cumulative viewing timeof the detected registered user. And, for example, the controller 114calculate the cumulative viewing time up to current viewing by summingthe viewing time of the current viewing and the cumulative viewing timethat is a sum of viewing times of respective viewings up to previousviewing except for the current viewing. The controller 114 stops thecalculation for the cumulative viewing time of the registered user whois not detected during it. The process flow then proceeds to step S3007.

At step S3007, the controller 114 carries out the same controls as thoseat step S1005 of FIG. 4 . The controller 114 compares the cumulativeviewing time with the viewing limit time for each registered user. Whenthe controller 114 determines (NO) that the cumulative viewing time isshorter than the viewing limit time, the process flow proceeds to stepS3009. Alternatively, if a plurality of registered users are detected,when the controller 114 determines (NO) that cumulative viewing times ofall the detected users are shorter than the viewing limit time, theprocess flow proceeds to step S3009.

On the other hand, when the controller 114 determines (YES) that thecumulative viewing time is equal to or longer than the viewing limittime, the process flow proceeds to step S3008. Alternatively, if aplurality of registered users are detected, when the controller 114determines (YES) that the cumulative viewing time of any registered userof the detected registered users is equal to or longer than the viewinglimit time, the process flow proceeds to step S3008.

At step S3008, the controller 114 carries out the same controls as thoseat step S1006 of FIG. 4 . The controller 114 gives the warning to theregistered user whose cumulative viewing time is equal to or longer thanthe viewing limit time. Also when the cumulative viewing time of theregistered user who is detected again after not being detected during itis equal to or longer than the viewing limit time, the controller 114gives a warning to this registered user for limiting the contentsinformation viewing. At this time, for example, the controller 114 maydisplay the warning image on the periphery of the display 117, or mayemit a warning sound with a smaller volume so as not to interrupt theviewing by the different user. When the warned registered user is notdetected after that, the controller 114 stops the warning to thisregistered user. When the registered user is notified of the warning inthis manner, the process flow proceeds to step S3009.

At step S3009, the controller 114 determines whether the contentsinformation, etc., is displayed on the display 117. For example, whenthe controller 114 determines (YES) that the contents information isdisplayed on the display 117, the process flow returns to step S3003.Subsequently, the above-described steps S3003 to S3009 are executedagain, so that the viewing information measuring unit 170 consecutivelymeasures the detected registered user's viewing time, and the controller114 consecutively calculates the detected registered user's cumulativeviewing time.

On the other hand, for example, when the controller 114 determines (NO)that the contents information, etc., is not displayed on the display117, the process flow proceeds to step S3010.

At step S3010, the same controls as those at step S1009 of FIG. 4 areexecuted. The viewing information measuring unit 170 stops themeasurement of the detected registered user's viewing time, and thecontroller 114 stops the calculation of the detected registered user'scumulative viewing time.

The process flow then proceeds to step S3011. At step S3011, theimage-capturing unit 140 stops the image capturing for the user.

By executing these steps S3001 to S3011, the viewing information on theregistered user is recorded even when the user views the contents of theinformation processor 100 without carrying out the log-on operation.

Also in the present embodiment, the consecutive viewing time may berecorded as the viewing information. For example, at step S3004, theviewing time measuring unit 170 measures the viewing time as theconsecutive viewing time. At step S3007, the controller 114 compares theconsecutive viewing time with the consecutive viewing limit time. Atstep S3008, the controller 114 warns a registered user whose consecutiveviewing time is equal to or longer than the consecutive viewing limittime that the user should take the break time.

According to the present embodiment, during the operation of theinformation processor 100, the image-capturing unit 140 automaticallycaptures the user image so as to extract the face information from theuser image created by the image-capturing unit 140. The controller 114detects the registered user, based on the extracted face information andthe registered user information.

According to this configuration, the registered user is detected withoutthe log-on operation by the user. Therefore, even when the plurality ofusers are viewing the contents information, the viewing information onthe registered users can be suitably recorded.

According to the present embodiment, the image-capturing unit 140captures the image of the user who is viewing the contents information,several times, and the controller 114 detects the registered user everytime the image-capturing unit 140 captures the image of the user.Meanwhile, the viewing time measuring unit 170 measures the viewing timeonly during a period of time in which the registered user is detected.

According to this configuration, the viewing time is measured onlyduring the period in which the registered user views the contentsinformation. That is, the registered user's viewing time is measuredwithout the log off from the information processor 100 or switching offof the information processor 100 by the registered user. Thus, theviewing time measuring unit 170 can measure the accurate viewing time ofthe registered user. In this manner, the registered user's cumulativeviewing time can be more accurately calculated, and the viewinginformation on the registered user can be more suitably recorded.

According to the present embodiment, the image-capturing unit 140consecutively captures the image of the user of the informationprocessor 100. According to this configuration, since the controller 114consecutively detects the registered user, the viewing time measuringunit 170 can more accurately measure the detected registered user'sviewing time. In this manner, the controller 114 can more accuratelycalculate the detected registered user's cumulative viewing time. Inthis manner, the viewing information on the registered user can be moresuitably recorded.

According to the present embodiment, the consecutive viewing time may berecorded as the viewing information on the registered user. According tothis configuration, the contents information viewing by the registereduser can be limited also on the basis of the consecutive viewing time.As a result, the viewing information on the registered user can be moresuitably recorded.

According to the present embodiment, when a plurality of users areregistered in the information processor 100, the viewing information onthe cumulative viewing and the viewing information on the consecutiveviewing are recorded for each user. When detecting the registered userwho is the target of the warning, the controller 114 gives the warningto the registered user who is the target of the warning. The controller114 gives the warning to the target registered user by displaying thewarning image on the periphery of the screen of the display 117 oremitting the warning sound with the smaller volume. According to thisconfiguration, the viewing by the registered user who is the target ofthe warning can be limited without interrupting the contents informationviewing by the different user.

Fifth Embodiment

The case of the record of the viewing information on the registered userin the individual information processor has been described above.However, in recent years, many users own a plurality of informationprocessors such as a smartphone, a cellular phone, a personal computer,a tablet terminal, and a television. Therefore, if the viewinginformation on the registered user is recorded for each informationprocessor, the viewing information on the registered user cannot besuitably recorded. In the present embodiment, a viewing informationmanagement system configured to collectively record the viewinginformation on the registered users in a plurality of informationprocessors will be described.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a viewing informationmanagement system according to the fifth embodiment of the presentinvention. For example, as shown in FIG. 17 , the viewing informationmanagement system includes information processors 100 (100A to 100E), abase station 1010, a broadcasting station 1020, a wireless router 1030,an external network 1040, a server 1050 and others.

According to the present embodiment, the registered users are registeredin the plurality of information processors 100 (100A to 100E). Each ofthe information processors 100A to 100C is, for example, a smartphone, acellular phone, a personal computer, a tablet terminal, or others. Theinformation processors 100A to 100C are each connected to the server1050 on the external network 1040, via the base station 1010 and themobile communication I/F 131, which serves as an informationcommunication unit. The information processors 100A to 100C are eachconnected to the server 1050 on the external network, also via thewireless router 1030 and the communication I/F 113, which serves as aninformation communication unit. In this manner, the informationprocessors 100A to 100C transmit/receive viewing information on theregistered users, the contents information, etc., to/from the server1050.

An information processor 100D is, for example, a device of various typesconnected to the server 1050 via the wireless router 1030 and thecommunication I/F 113 which serves as the information communicationunit. The information processor 100D is therefore a piece of equipmentconnected to the server 1050 on the external network 1040, via thewireless router 1030 and the communication I/F 113 which serves as theinformation communication unit. In this manner, the informationprocessor 100D transmits/receives the viewing information on theregistered users, the contents information, etc., to/from the server1050.

An information processor 100E is, for example, a television, etc.,configured to receive electric waves (television signals) transmittedfrom the broadcasting station 1020 and display television broadcasting.The information processor 100E is connected to the server 1050 via thewireless router 1030 and the communication I/F 113 which serves as theinformation communication unit. In this manner, the informationprocessor 100E transmits/receives the viewing information on theregistered users, the contents information, etc., to/from the server1050.

The information processors 100A to 100E are connected to the wirelessrouter 1030 by a wired LAN or a wireless LAN. For example, in FIG. 17 ,the information processors 100A to 100D are connected to the wirelessrouter 1030 by the wireless LAN, while the information processor 100E isconnected to the wireless router 1030 by the wired LAN. The informationprocessors 100A to 100E are connected to one another via the wirelessrouter 1030.

In the present embodiment, for convenience in description, theinformation processor (one information processor) 100A of the pluralityof information processors 100A to 100E is defined as a viewinginformation management apparatus. The information processors 100B to100E transmit, for example, the viewing information on the registeredusers' cumulative viewing times, etc., to the information processor100A. Based on, for example, the viewing information on the registeredusers' cumulative viewing times, etc., received from the informationprocessors 100B to 100E, the information processor 100A records aplural-processor cumulative viewing time which is a sum of theregistered users' cumulative viewing times in the plurality ofinformation processors 100A to 100E. In this manner, the informationprocessor 100A collectively records the viewing information on theregistered users in the information processors 100A to 100E. Note thatthe information processor 100A may be, for example, an apparatuspersonally used by an administrative user.

Note that the configuration of the viewing information management systemis not limited to such a configuration, and can be freely changed. Forexample, the information processors 100D and 100E may be connected tothe base station 1010, and the information processors 100A to 100D mayreceive the electric waves from the broadcasting station 1020. Further,the viewing information management system may include six or moreinformation processors 100 or four or fewer information processors 100.

[Method of Recording Viewing Time in Information Processor RequiringLog-On Operation]

Next, a method of recording the viewing information on the registeredusers according to the present embodiment will be described. First, amethod of recording the viewing time in an information processorrequiring a log-on operation by a user will be described. FIG. 18 is adiagram showing an example of a flowchart related to a method ofrecording the viewing information according to the fifth embodiment ofthe present invention. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of themethod of recording the viewing information according to the fifthembodiment of the present invention. In the following description, notethat a descriptive content that overlaps descriptive contents of thefirst to fourth embodiment will be omitted in principle.

Note that the registered user information on the plurality of registeredusers is stored, for example, in the information storage 125 of theinformation processor 100A through a registration operation previouslycarried out by the users who intend to be registered. For example, theviewing information on the registered user, such as the view limit time,the consecutive viewing limit time, and the reset time, is previouslyrecorded in the information storage 125 of the information processor100A by the administrative user or by the registered userhimself/herself.

At step S1001, it is determined whether a user who intends to use theinformation processor 100 is one of the plurality of registered userswho have been previously registered as the users of the informationprocessor 100. When the information processor 100 to which the userintends to log on has not acquired the registered user information suchas the passwords for the registered users yet, the registered userinformation is previously acquired from the information processor 100Aor the server 1050.

At step S1002, when the viewing time measuring unit 170 of theinformation processor 100 to which the registered user has logged onstarts the measurement of the viewing time of the registered user whohas logged on, the process flow then proceeds to step S4003.

At step S4003, to the information processor 100A, the informationprocessor 100 transmits, for example, the viewing start informationincluding the identification information (e.g., the registered userinformation) on the registered user who has logged on, the viewinginformation on a contents viewing start time, the equipmentidentification information for identifying the information processor 100used by the registered user, and others. Based on the equipmentidentification information of the received viewing start information,the information processor 100A determines, for example, whether theinformation processor 100 having transmitted the viewing startinformation is an information processor registered in the viewinginformation management system. When it is determined that theinformation processor 100 having transmitted the viewing startinformation is the information processor registered in the viewinginformation management system, the information processor 100A recordsthe viewing start time of the registered user who has logged on, etc.,in a table, as the viewing information, based on the received viewingstart information. For example, as shown in FIG. 19 , in the table, theinformation processor 100A records an ID of the currently-usedinformation processor 100 into an equipment ID column of acurrently-used equipment column, and records the viewing information onthe viewing start time in the information processor 100 into a viewingstart time column. And, to the information processor 100 havingtransmitted the viewing start information, the information processor100A transmits information of notifying the reception of the viewingstart information.

The information processor 100 requests the information processor 100A totransmit the viewing information such as the viewing limit time and theplural-processor cumulative viewing time up to the previous viewing thatis a sum of the cumulative viewing times in the plurality of informationprocessors 100 in which the registered user who has logged on isregistered or in the information processors 100 (e.g., informationprocessors 100A to 100E) registered in the viewing informationmanagement system. To these information processors 100, the informationprocessor 100A transmits the viewing information on the registered userwho has logged on. The process flow then proceeds to step S1004.

At step S1004, the viewing time in the current viewing measured at stepS1002 and the plural-processor cumulative viewing time up to theprevious viewing transmitted from the information processor 100A at stepS4003 are summed, and the plural-processor cumulative viewing time ofthe registered user who has logged on is calculated. The process flowthen proceeds to step S1005.

At step S1005, the controller 114 of the information processor 100 towhich the registered user has logged on (i.e., contents of which havebeen viewed by the registered user) compares the plural-processorcumulative viewing time up to the current viewing with the viewing limittime. When the controller 114 of the information processor 100 to whichthe registered user has logged on determines that plural-processorcumulative viewing time up to the current viewing is equal to or longerthan the viewing limit time, the process flow proceeds to step S1006.

At step S1006, the controller 114 of the information processor 100 towhich the registered user has logged on gives the warning to theregistered user. The process flow then proceeds to step S4007.

At step S4007, to the information processor 100A, the informationprocessor 100 to which the registered user has logged on transmits theviewing time excess information (e.g., the plural-processor cumulativeviewing time) indicating that the registered user's viewing time hasexceeded the viewing limit time. The information processor 100A recordsthe received viewing time excess information into the table. The processflow then proceeds to step S1008.

At step S1009, the viewing time measuring unit 170 of the informationprocessor 100 to which registered user has logged on stops themeasurement of the registered user's viewing time. To the informationprocessor 100A, the information processor 100 to which the registereduser has logged on transmits the viewing information such as viewingstop information indicating that the registered user has stopped viewingthe contents information and the plural-processor cumulative viewingtime up to the current viewing. The information processor 100A recordsthe received viewing information such as the viewing stop informationand the plural-processor cumulative viewing time, and updates theviewing information on the registered user who has stopped viewing. Forexample, the information processor 100A deletes the ID information onthe information processor 100 recorded in the equipment ID column andthe viewing information such as the viewing start time information fromthe table, and records the viewing information on the plural-processorcumulative viewing time up to the current viewing into the table.

The consecutive viewing time may be recorded as the viewing informationon the registered user. For example, at step S4007 of FIG. 18 , to theinformation processor 100A, the information processor 100 to whichregistered user has logged on transmits consecutive viewing time excessinformation (e.g., a break end time) indicating that the registereduser's consecutive viewing time has exceeded the consecutive viewinglimit time. The information processor 100A records the receivedconsecutive viewing time excess information into the table.

[Recording of Viewing Time in Information Processor not Requiring Log-OnOperation]

Next, a method of recording the viewing time in an information processornot requiring the log-on operation by the user will be described. FIG.20 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart related to the methodof recording the viewing information according to the fifth embodimentof the present invention. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of themethod of recording the viewing information according to the fifthembodiment of the present invention.

At step S3002, the information processor 100 transmits the equipmentidentification information for identifying the information processor 100itself, to the information processor 100A, and requests the informationprocessor 100A to send the viewing information on the registered user,etc. Based on the received equipment identification information, theinformation processor 100A determines whether the information processor100 is equipment registered in the viewing information managementsystem. When it is determined that the information processor 100 havingtransmitted the viewing start information is the equipment registered inthe viewing information management system, the viewing information onthe registered user such as the plural-processor cumulative viewing timeup to the previous viewing and the viewing limit time is transmitted tothe information processor 100. The process flow then proceeds to stepS3003.

At step S3004, to the information processor 100A, the informationprocessor 100 transmits, for example, the viewing start informationincluding the identification information on the detected registered user(e.g., registered user information), the viewing information on theviewing start time, and the equipment identification information foridentifying the information processor 100. The information processor100A records the received viewing start information into the table. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 21 , the information processor 100A recordsthe ID of the information processor 100, the viewing start time in theinformation processor 100, and the viewing information such as the faceinformation into the table. The information processor 100A may transmit,for example, information notifying that the viewing start informationhas been received, to the information processor 100 having transmittedthe viewing start information.

At step S3005, when there is the registered user who is not detectedduring the viewing time measurement, the information processor 100transmits the viewing stop information indicating that the registereduser has stopped viewing the contents information, the plural-processorcumulative viewing time up to the current viewing and others, to theinformation processor 100A. The information processor 100A records thereceived viewing information such as the viewing stop information andthe plural-processor cumulative viewing time up to the current viewinginto the table, and updates the viewing information on the registereduser who has stopped viewing. When it is determined that the informationprocessor 100 having transmitted the viewing stop information and theplural-processor cumulative viewing time up to the current viewing isthe equipment registered in the viewing information management system,for example, the information processor 100A deletes the ID of theinformation processor 100 recorded in the equipment ID column and theviewing information such as the viewing start time information from thetable, and records the viewing information on the plural-processorcumulative viewing time up to the current viewing into the table. To theinformation processor 100, the information processor 100A may transmitinformation notifying that the viewing stop information and theplural-processor cumulative viewing time up to the current viewing havebeen received.

At step S3006, the viewing time in the current viewing measured at stepS3004 and the plural-processor cumulative viewing time up to theprevious viewing transmitted from the information processor 100A at steps3002 are summed, so that the plural-processor cumulative viewing timeup to the current viewing of the detected registered user is calculated.The controller 114 stops the calculation for the plural-processorcumulative viewing time up to the current viewing of the registered userwho is not detected during it.

Also in the present embodiment, the consecutive viewing time may berecorded as the viewing information on the registered user. For example,at step S4007 of FIG. 18 , the information processor 100 transmits theconsecutive viewing time excess information (e.g., the break end time)indicating that the registered user's consecutive viewing time hasexceeded the consecutive viewing limit time, to the informationprocessor 100A. Based on the received consecutive viewing time excessinformation, the information processor 100A records, for example, theviewing information on the break end time of the registered user intothe table.

At step S3004 of FIG. 20 , for example, the viewing time measuring unit170 measures the viewing time as the consecutive viewing time. At stepS3007 of FIG. 20 , the controller 114 compares the consecutive viewingtime with the consecutive viewing limit time. At step S3008 of FIG. 20 ,the controller 114 warns a registered user whose consecutive viewingtime is equal to or longer than the consecutive viewing limit time thatthe user should takes the break time. At step S3010 of FIG. 20 , theviewing time measuring unit 170 stops the measurement of the detectedregistered user's viewing time, and the controller 114 stops thecalculation for the detected registered user's cumulative viewing time.To the information processor 100A, the information processor 100transmits the viewing stop information indicating that the registereduser has stopped viewing the contents information, the plural-processorcumulative viewing time up to the current viewing, and others.

According to the present embodiment, even when the registered user viewsthe contents information, etc., on the plurality of informationprocessors 100, pieces of the viewing information on the respectiveinformation processors 100 are collectively recorded into theinformation processor 100A serving as the viewing information managementapparatus.

According to this configuration, a sum of the cumulative viewing timesin the respective information processors 100 is recorded as theplural-processor cumulative viewing time. As a result, the viewinginformation on the registered user is more suitably recorded.

According to the present embodiment, after the reception of theplural-processor cumulative viewing time up to the previous viewingtransmitted form the information processor 100A serving as the viewinginformation management apparatus, the plural-processor cumulativeviewing time up to the current viewing is calculated in each informationprocessor 100. Then, the plural-processor cumulative viewing time andthe viewing limit time are compared with each other in each informationprocessor 100.

According to this configuration, a frequency of accesses to theinformation processor 100A by the information processor 100 can bereduced, and therefore, the load on the information processor 100A canbe reduced. Further, even when the information processor 100 cannot makeaccess to the information processor 100A, the warning can be given tothe registered user.

According to the present embodiment, when the registered user'sconsecutive viewing time has exceeded the consecutive viewing limittime, the viewing information on the break start time is recorded intothe table. According to this configuration, even when the registereduser intends to use a different information processor 100 during thebreak time, the contents information viewing or others is limited. As aresult, the viewing information on the registered user can be moresuitably recorded.

According to the present embodiment, the viewing information is recordedvia the external network 1040. According to this configuration, theviewing by the registered user is limited even when the administrativeuser and the registered user are apart from each other. As a result, theviewing information is suitably recorded.

Sixth Embodiment

In the present embodiment, a case of recording the viewing informationin the server 1050 serving as the viewing information managementapparatus will be described.

[Method of Recording Viewing Time in Information Processor RequiringLog-On Operation]

A method of recording the viewing time in the information processorrequiring the log-on operation will be described with reference to FIG.18 . In the following description, note that a descriptive content thatoverlaps descriptive contents of the first to fifth embodiments will beomitted in principle.

Note that the registered user information on the plurality of registeredusers is stored in, for example, the server 1050 through registrationoperations previously carried out by users who intend to be registered.The viewing information on the registered user, such as the viewinglimit time, the consecutive viewing limit time, and the reset time, ispreviously stored in the server 1050 by the administrative user or theregistered user himself/herself.

At step S4003, to the server 1050 on the external network 1040, theinformation processor 100 transmits, for example, the viewing startinformation including the identification information (e.g., registereduser information) on the registered user who has logged on, the viewinginformation on the viewing start time, the equipment identificationinformation for identifying the information processor 100 currently usedby the registered user, and others. Based on, for example, the equipmentidentification information of the received viewing start information,the server 1050 determines whether the information processor 100 havingtransmitted the viewing start information is the equipment registered inthe viewing information management system. When it is determined thatthe information processor 100 is the equipment registered in the viewinginformation management system, the server 1050 records the viewinginformation on the received viewing start information into the table.For example, as shown in FIG. 19 , the server 1050 records the ID of theinformation processor 100 and the viewing information on the viewingstart time and others into the table. Then, to the information processor100, the server 1050 transmits information notifying that the viewingstart information has been received.

The information processor 100 requests the server 1050 to transmit theviewing information on the registered user who has logged on and isviewing the contents information, such as the plural-processorcumulative viewing time up to the previous viewing and the viewing limittime. To the information processor 100, the server 1050 transmits theviewing information on the registered user who has logged on.

At step S4007, to the server 1050, the information processor 100transmits the viewing time excess information (e.g., theplural-processor cumulative viewing time up to the current viewing)indicating that the registered user's viewing time has exceeded theviewing limit time. The server 1050 records the received viewing timeexcess information into the table.

At step S1009, to the server 1050, the information processor 100transmits the viewing stop information indicating that the registereduser has stopped viewing the contents information and the viewinginformation such as the plural-processor cumulative viewing time up tothe current viewing. The server 1050 records the received viewing stopinformation and viewing information on the plural-processor cumulativeviewing time up to the current viewing into the table, and updates theviewing information on the registered user who has stopped the viewing.For example, the server 1050 deletes the ID information of theinformation processor 100, the viewing start time information, etc.,from the table, and records the viewing information on theplural-processor cumulative viewing time up to the current viewing, intothe table.

[Recording of Viewing Time in Information Processor not Requiring Log-OnOperation]

Next, a method of recording the viewing time in an information processornot requiring the log-on operation by the user will be described withreference to FIG. 20 .

At step S3002, the information processor 100 transmits the equipmentidentification information for identifying the information processor 100itself to the server 1050, and requests the server 1050 to transmit theviewing information on the registered user, etc. Based on the receivedequipment identification information, the server 1050 determines whetherthe information processor 100 is the equipment registered in the viewinginformation management system. When it is determined that theinformation processor 100 is the equipment registered in the viewinginformation management system, the viewing information on the registereduser such as the plural-processor cumulative viewing time up to theprevious viewing, the viewing limit time, and others are transmitted tothe information processor 100.

At step S3004, to the server 1050, the information processor 100transmits, for example, the viewing start information including theidentification information (e.g., registered user information) on thedetected registered user, the viewing information on the viewing starttime, the equipment identification information for identifying theinformation processor 100 and others. The server 1050 records thereceived viewing start information into the table. For example, as shownin FIG. 21 , the server 1050 records the ID of the information processor100, the viewing information such as the viewing start time in theinformation processor 100 and the face information, into the table. Tothe information processor 100, the server 1050 may transmit, forexample, information notifying that the viewing start information hasbeen received.

At step S3005, when there is the registered user who is not detectedduring the viewing time measurement, the information processor 100transmits the viewing stop information indicating that the registereduser has stopped viewing the contents information, the plural-processorcumulative viewing time up to the current viewing, and others, to theserver 1050. The server 1050 records the viewing information on theviewing stop information, the plural-processor cumulative viewing timeup to the current viewing, and others, into the table, and updates theviewing information on the registered user who has stopped the viewing.For example, the server 1050 deletes the ID of the information processor100 recorded in the equipment ID column and the viewing information onthe viewing start time information from the table, and records theviewing information on the plural-processor cumulative viewing time upto the current viewing into the table.

Also in the present embodiment, the consecutive viewing time may berecorded as the viewing information on the registered user. For example,at step S4007 of FIG. 18 , to the server 1050, the information processor100 transmits the consecutive viewing time excess information (e.g., thebreak end time) indicating that the registered user's consecutiveviewing time has exceeded the consecutive viewing limit time. The server1050 records the viewing information on the received consecutive viewingtime excess information into the table.

According to the present embodiment, even when the registered user viewsthe contents information, etc., in the plurality of informationprocessors 100, pieces of viewing information in the respectiveinformation processors 100 are collectively recorded in the server 1050serving as the viewing information management apparatus.

According to this configuration, the sum of the cumulative viewing timesin the respective information processors 100 are recorded as theplural-processor cumulative viewing time. As a result, the viewinginformation on the registered user is more suitably recorded. Accordingto this configuration, it is not required in the information processor100 to record the viewing information on the registered user, andtherefore, the load on the information processor 100 is reduced.

According to the present embodiment, when the registered user'sconsecutive viewing time has exceeded the consecutive viewing limittime, the viewing information on the break start time is recorded intothe table. According to this configuration, even when the registereduser intends to use a different information processor 100 during thebreak time, the contents information viewing by the registered user islimited. As a result, the viewing information on the registered user canbe more suitably recorded.

According to the present embodiment, the viewing information is recordedvia the external network 1040. According to this configuration, theviewing information on the registered user is suitably recorded evenwhen the administrative user and the registered user are apart from eachother.

Seventh Embodiment

The sections for the above-described fifth and sixth embodiments havedescribed the case of the calculation for the plural-processorcumulative viewing time up to the current viewing in each informationprocessor 100. A section for the present embodiment will describe a caseof calculation for the plural-processor cumulative viewing time up tothe current viewing in the information processor 100A and the server1050 serving as the viewing information management apparatus. In thefollowing description, note that a descriptive content that overlapsdescriptive contents of the first to sixth embodiments will be omittedin principle.

[Method of Recording Viewing Time in Information Processor RequiringLog-On Operation]

A method of recording the viewing time in an information processorrequiring a log-on operation will be described with reference to FIG. 18. When the information processor 100A or the server 1050 receives, forexample, the identification information on the registered user who haslogged on and the viewing information on the viewing start time inviewing the contents information, and others, which are transmitted fromthe information processor 100 at step S4003 of FIG. 18 , the informationprocessor 100A or the server 1050 starts the measurement of theregistered user's viewing time in the current viewing. The informationprocessor 100A or the server 1050 also sums the registered user'sviewing time in the current viewing and the plural-processor cumulativeviewing time up to the previous viewing, and calculates theplural-processor cumulative viewing time up to the current viewing. Theinformation processor 100A or the server 1050 compares theplural-processor cumulative viewing time up to the current viewing withthe viewing limit time. When it is determined that the registered user'splural-processor cumulative viewing time up to the current viewing isequal to or longer than the viewing limit time, the informationprocessor 100A or the server 1050 instructs the information processor100, on which the registered user is viewing the contents, to give thewarning to the registered user, and the information processor 100 givesthe warning to the registered user, based on the instruction from theinformation processor 100A or the server 1050. For example, to theinformation processor 100, the information processor 100A or the server1050 transmits the viewing time excess information indicating that theplural-processor cumulative viewing time up to the current viewing isequal to or longer than the viewing limit time. Then, based on thereceived viewing time excess information, the information processor 100gives the warning to the registered user by carrying out the control atstep S1006 of FIG. 18 .

When the information processor 100A or the server 1050 receives theregistered user's viewing stop information transmitted from theinformation processor 100 at step S1009 of FIG. 18 , the informationprocessor 100A or the server 1050 stops the measurement of theregistered user's viewing time. And, the information processor 100A orthe server 1050 stops the calculation for the registered user'splural-processor cumulative viewing time up to the current viewing, andrecords the viewing information on the plural-processor cumulativeviewing time up to the current viewing into the table.

[Recording of Viewing Time in Information Processor not Requiring Log-OnOperation]

Next, a method of recording the viewing time in an information processornot requiring a log-on operation by the user will be described withreference to FIG. 20 . Also in this case, the information processor 100Aor the server 1050 carries out almost the same controls as those in thecase requiring the log-on operation. For this reason, differences in thecontrols from the case requiring the log-on operation will hereinafterbe described.

When the information processor 100A or the server 1050 receives, forexample, the identification information on the detected registered userand the viewing information on the viewing start time, and others, whichare transmitted from the information processor 100 at step S3004 of FIG.20 , the information processor 100A or the server 1050 starts themeasurement of the detected registered user's viewing time in thecurrent viewing. The information processor 100A or the server 1050 alsosums the registered user's viewing time in the current viewing and theplural-processor cumulative viewing time up to the previous viewing, andcalculates the plural-processor cumulative viewing time up to thecurrent viewing. When it is determined that the plural-processorcumulative viewing time up to the current viewing is equal to or longerthan the viewing limit time, the information processor 100A or theserver 1050 instructs the information processor 100 to give the warningto the registered user. The information processor 100 gives the warningto the registered user by carrying out the control at step S3008 of FIG.20 based on the received viewing limit time excess information. When itis determined that the registered user's plural-processor cumulativeviewing time up to the current viewing is equal to or longer than theviewing limit time, the information processor 100A or the server 1050instructs the information processor 100, on which the registered user isviewing the contents, to give the warning to the registered user, andthe information processor 100 gives the warning to the registered user,based on the instruction from the information processor 100A or theserver 1050. For example, to the information processor 100, theinformation processor 100A or the server 1050 transmits the viewinglimit time excess information indicating that the plural-processorcumulative viewing time up to the current viewing is equal to or longerthan the viewing limit time. Then, based on the received viewing limittime excess information, the information processor 100 gives the warningto the registered user by carrying out the controls of step S3008 ofFIG. 20 .

When receiving the viewing stop information on the registered user, theviewing stop information being transmitted from the informationprocessor 100 at step S3005 of FIG. 20 , the information processor 100Aor the server 1050 stops the measurement of the registered user'sviewing time.

The information processor 100A or the server 1050 may measure theregistered user's consecutive viewing time. The information processor100A or the server 1050 measures the registered user's consecutiveviewing time, and compares the consecutive viewing time with theconsecutive viewing limit time. When it is determined that theregistered user's consecutive viewing time is equal to or longer thanthe consecutive viewing limit time, the information processor 100A orthe server 1050 instructs the information processor 100 to give thewarning to the registered user. For example, to the informationprocessor 100, the information processor 100A or the server 1050transmits the consecutive viewing limit time excess informationindicating that the consecutive viewing time is equal to or longer thanthe consecutive viewing limit time. Based on the received consecutiveviewing limit time excess information, the information processor 100gives the warning to the registered user by carrying out the controls ofstep S1006 of FIG. 18 or of step 3008 of FIG. 20 .

When receiving the viewing stop information on the registered user, theviewing stop information being transmitted from the informationprocessor 100 at step S1009 of FIG. 18 or step S3005 of FIG. 20 , theinformation processor 100A or the server 1050 stops the measurement ofthe registered user's consecutive viewing time.

According to the present embodiment, the plural-processor cumulativeviewing time and the consecutive viewing time are calculated in theinformation processor 100A or the server 1050 each of which serves asthe viewing information management apparatus. According to thisconfiguration, each information processor 100 does not have to calculatethe plural-processor cumulative viewing time and the consecutive viewingtime. As a result, load on the information processor 100 is reduced.

According to the present embodiment, when the information processor 100Aor the server 1050 compares the plural-processor cumulative viewing timeup to the current viewing with the viewing limit time and it isdetermined that the plural-processor cumulative viewing time up to thecurrent viewing exceeds the viewing limit time, the informationprocessor 100A or the server 1050 instructs the information processor100 to give the warning to the registered user. According to thisconfiguration, the information processor 100 gives the warning based onthe instruction from the information processor 100A or the server 1050,so that the viewing of the contents information by the registered useris limited. As a result, the viewing information on the registered useris suitably recorded.

According to the present embodiment, when the information processor 100Aor the server 1050 compares the consecutive viewing time with theconsecutive viewing limit time and it is determined that the consecutiveviewing time exceeds the consecutive viewing limit time, the informationprocessor 100A or the server 1050 instructs the information processor100 to warn the registered user that the registered user should take apredetermined break time. According to this configuration, theinformation processor 100 gives the warning based on the instructionfrom the information processor 100A or the server 1050, so that thewarning makes the registered user take a suitable break. As a result,the viewing information on the registered user is more suitablyrecorded.

Other Embodiments

Applications of the present invention are not limited to theabove-described embodiments. For example, the wireless router 1030 maybe provided with a storage, and the viewing information on theregistered user may be recorded in the storage. In such a case, incomparison to the case of the information processor 100 serving as theviewing information management apparatus, power is stably supplied tothe wireless router 1030. Further, because the network connectionbetween the information processor 100 (e.g., information processors 100Ato 100E) and the wireless router 1030 is stable, quick response to theviewing-information transmission request from the information processor100 is achieved.

In the foregoing, the invention made by the present inventors has beenconcretely described on the basis of the embodiments. However, it isneedless to say that the present invention is not limited to theforegoing embodiments, and various alternations can be made within thescope of the present invention.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-describedembodiments, and includes various modification examples. For example,the above-described embodiments have been explained in detail for easilyunderstanding the present invention, and are not always limited to theones including all structures explained above.

Also, a part of the structure of one embodiment can be replaced with thestructure of another embodiment, and besides, the structure of anotherembodiment can be added to the structure of one embodiment. Further,another structure can be added to/eliminated from/replaced with a partof the structure of each embodiment. Note that each member and arelative size shown in the drawings are simplified and idealized forunderstandably explaining the present invention, and therefore, morecomplicated shapes are provided on implementation in some cases.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

-   100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 100E . . . information processor, 114 .    . . controller, 115 . . . information input unit, 116 . . . user    information acquiring unit, 117 . . . display, 125 . . . information    storage, 140 . . . image-capturing unit, 1010 . . . base station,    1020 . . . broadcasting station, 1030 . . . wireless router, 1040 .    . . external network, 1050 . . . server

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system, comprising: a first informationprocessing terminal including: a user information acquiring unitconfigured to acquire user information; a first display; a firsttransceiver; and a first controller, a second information processingterminal including: a second controller to register information relatingto a user of the first information processing terminal and set a viewinglimit time for the first information processing terminal; and a secondtransceiver to send viewing limit time information on the viewing limittime to the first information processing terminal, and a serverconnected with the first information processing terminal and the secondinformation processing terminal, wherein the first controller isconfigured to execute user authentication by using previously registereduser information and the user information acquired by the userinformation acquiring unit and thereafter control the first display todisplay contents information and measure a viewing time of the contentsinformation displayed by the first display, cumulative viewing timeinformation based on the viewing time being sent to the secondinformation processing terminal via the server, wherein, in a case wherethe first transceiver receives the viewing limit time information on theviewing limit time from the second information processing terminal viathe server and the first controller is configured to determine that theviewing time under measurement is equal to or longer than the viewinglimit time set by the second information processing terminal, the firstcontroller is configured to stop displaying the contents information onthe first display, and wherein the first controller is configured tocancel a limit of viewing in response to elapsing of arbitrary timeafter stop displaying the contents information on the first display. 2.The system according to claim 1, wherein the user information acquiringunit is configured to acquire a password input as the user information.3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the user informationacquiring unit has a biosensor, and is configured to acquire biologicalinformation as the user information.
 4. The system according to claim 1,wherein the user information acquiring unit has an image sensor, and isconfigured to acquire face information as the user information, the faceinformation being extracted from an image of a user captured and createdby the image sensor.
 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein theviewing time is a time while the contents information created by anapplication program is displayed on the display or an elapsed time froma viewing start time of the contents information which is created by theapplication and displayed on the first display.
 6. The system accordingto claim 1, wherein the first information processing terminal furthercomprises a clock function, and wherein the first controller isconfigured to measure the viewing time based on time information by theclock function.
 7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the secondtransceiver receives the cumulative viewing time information based onthe viewing time from the first information processing terminal via theserver.
 8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the secondtransceiver receives information that the viewing time under measurementof the first information processing terminal is equal to or longer thanthe viewing limit time set by the first information processing terminal.9. A system, comprising: a first information processing terminalincluding: a user information acquiring unit configured to acquire userinformation; a first display; a first transceiver; and a firstcontroller, a second information processing terminal including: a seconddisplay; a second transceiver; and a second controller, a thirdinformation processing terminal including: a third controller toregister information relating to a user of the first informationprocessing terminal and the second information processing terminal andset a viewing limit time for the first information processing terminaland the second information processing terminal; and a third transceiverto send viewing limit time information on the viewing limit time to thefirst information processing terminal and the second informationprocessing terminal, and a server connected with the first informationprocessing terminal, the second information processing terminal and thethird information processing terminal, wherein the first controller isconfigured to execute user authentication by using previously registereduser information and the user information acquired by the userinformation acquiring unit and thereafter control the first display todisplay contents information and measure a viewing time of the contentsinformation displayed by the first display, and wherein, in a case wherethe first transceiver receives first viewing information including afirst viewing time of the second information processing terminal inwhich the registered user information is registered and the viewinglimit time information on the viewing limit time from the thirdinformation processing terminal via the server and the first controlleris configured to determine that a first cumulative viewing timecalculated by summing the first viewing time and the viewing time undermeasurement is equal to or longer than the viewing limit time set by thethird information processing terminal, the first controller isconfigured to stop displaying the contents information on the firstdisplay.
 10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the firstinformation processing terminal further comprises a storage, and whereinthe first controller is configured to control the storage to store thefirst viewing information received by the first transceiver.
 11. Thesystem according to claim 9, wherein the user information acquiring unitis configured to acquire a password input as the user information. 12.The system according to claim 9, wherein the user information acquiringunit has a biosensor, and is configured to acquire biologicalinformation as the user information.
 13. The system according to claim9, wherein the user information acquiring unit has an image sensor, andis configured to acquire face information as the user information, theface information being extracted from an image of a user captured andcreated by the image sensor.
 14. The system according to claim 9,wherein the viewing time is a time while the contents informationcreated by an application program is displayed on the display or anelapsed time from a viewing start time of the contents information whichis created by the application and displayed on the first display. 15.The system according to claim 9, wherein the first informationprocessing terminal further comprises a clock function, and wherein thefirst controller is configured to measure the viewing time based on timeinformation by the clock function.
 16. The system according to claim 9,wherein the first controller is configured to cancel a limit of viewingin response to elapsing of arbitrary time after stop displaying thecontents information on the first display.
 17. The system according toclaim 9, wherein the second transceiver receives the cumulative viewingtime information based on the viewing time from the first informationprocessing terminal via the server.
 18. The system according to claim 9,wherein the second transceiver receives information that the viewingtime under measurement of the first information processing terminal isequal to or longer than the viewing limit time set by the firstinformation processing terminal.
 19. The system according to claim 9,wherein the first viewing information is information on measured time bythe second information processing terminal while another contentsinformation created by another application program of the secondinformation processing terminal is displayed on the second display or anelapsed time from another viewing start time of the another contentsinformation which is created by the application of the secondinformation processing terminal and displayed on the second display. 20.A system, comprising: a first information processing terminal including:a user information acquiring unit configured to acquire userinformation; a first display; a first transceiver; and a firstcontroller, a second information processing terminal including: a secondcontroller to register information relating to a user of the firstinformation processing terminal and set a viewing limit time for thefirst information processing terminal; and a second transceiver to sendviewing limit time information on the viewing limit time to the firstinformation processing terminal, and a server connected with the firstinformation processing terminal and the second information processingterminal, wherein the first controller is configured to execute userauthentication by using previously registered user information and theuser information acquired by the user information acquiring unit andthereafter control the first display to display contents information andmeasure a viewing time of the contents information displayed by thefirst display, cumulative viewing time information based on the viewingtime being sent to the second information processing terminal via theserver, wherein, in a case where the first transceiver receives theviewing limit time information on the viewing limit time from the secondinformation processing terminal via the server and the first controlleris configured to determine that the viewing time under measurement isequal to or longer than the viewing limit time set by the secondinformation processing terminal, the first controller is configured tostop displaying the contents information on the first display, andwherein the first controller is configured to cancel a limit of viewingat a predetermined time after stop displaying the contents informationon the first display.
 21. The system according to claim 20, wherein theuser information acquiring unit is configured to acquire a passwordinput as the user information.
 22. The system according to claim 20,wherein the user information acquiring unit has a biosensor, and isconfigured to acquire biological information as the user information.23. The system according to claim 20, wherein the user informationacquiring unit has an image sensor, and is configured to acquire faceinformation as the user information, the face information beingextracted from an image of a user captured and created by the imagesensor.
 24. The system according to claim 20, wherein the viewing timeis a time while the contents information created by an applicationprogram is displayed on the display or an elapsed time from a viewingstart time of the contents information which is created by theapplication and displayed on the first display.
 25. The system accordingto claim 20, wherein the first information processing terminal furthercomprises a clock function, and wherein the first controller isconfigured to measure the viewing time based on time information by theclock function.
 26. The system according to claim 20, wherein the secondtransceiver receives the cumulative viewing time information based onthe viewing time from the first information processing terminal via theserver.
 27. The system according to claim 20, wherein the secondtransceiver receives information that the viewing time under measurementof the first information processing terminal is equal to or longer thanthe viewing limit time set by the first information processing terminal.28. A system, comprising: a first information processing terminalincluding: a user information acquiring unit configured to acquire userinformation; a first display; a first transceiver; and a firstcontroller, a second information processing terminal including: a seconddisplay; a second transceiver; and a second controller, a thirdinformation processing terminal including: a third controller toregister information relating to a user of the first informationprocessing terminal and the second information processing terminal andset a viewing limit time for the first information processing terminaland the second information processing terminal; and a third transceiverto send viewing limit time information on the viewing limit time to thefirst information processing terminal and the second informationprocessing terminal, and a server connected with the first informationprocessing terminal, the second information processing terminal and thethird information processing terminal, wherein the first controller isconfigured to execute user authentication by using previously registereduser information and the user information acquired by the userinformation acquiring unit and thereafter control the first display todisplay contents information and measure a viewing time of the contentsinformation displayed by the first display, wherein, in a case where thefirst transceiver receives first viewing information including a firstviewing time of the second information processing terminal in which theregistered user information is registered and the viewing limit timeinformation on the viewing limit time from the third informationprocessing terminal via the server and the first controller isconfigured to determine that a first cumulative viewing time calculatedby summing the first viewing time and the viewing time under measurementis equal to or longer than the viewing limit time set by the thirdinformation processing terminal, the first controller is configured tostop displaying the contents information on the first display, andwherein the first controller is configured to cancel a limit of viewingat a predetermined time after stop displaying the contents informationon the first display.
 29. The system according to claim 28, wherein thefirst information processing terminal further comprises a storage, andwherein the first controller is configured to control the storage tostore the first viewing information received by the first transceiver.30. The system according to claim 28, wherein the user informationacquiring unit is configured to acquire a password input as the userinformation.
 31. The system according to claim 28, wherein the userinformation acquiring unit has a biosensor, and is configured to acquirebiological information as the user information.
 32. The system accordingto claim 28, wherein the user information acquiring unit has an imagesensor, and is configured to acquire face information as the userinformation, the face information being extracted from an image of auser captured and created by the image sensor.
 33. The system accordingto claim 28, wherein the viewing time is a time while the contentsinformation created by an application program is displayed on thedisplay or an elapsed time from a viewing start time of the contentsinformation which is created by the application and displayed on thefirst display.
 34. The system according to claim 28, wherein the firstinformation processing terminal further comprises a clock function, andwherein the first controller is configured to measure the viewing timebased on time information by the clock function.
 35. The systemaccording to claim 28, wherein the first controller is configured tocancel a limit of viewing at a predetermined time after stop displayingthe contents information on the first display.
 36. The system accordingto claim 28, wherein the second transceiver receives the cumulativeviewing time information based on the viewing time from the firstinformation processing terminal via the server.
 37. The system accordingto claim 28, wherein the second transceiver receives information thatthe viewing time under measurement of the first information processingterminal is equal to or longer than the viewing limit time set by thefirst information processing terminal.
 38. The system according to claim28, wherein the first viewing information is information on measuredtime by the second information processing terminal while anothercontents information created by another application program of thesecond information processing terminal is displayed on the seconddisplay or an elapsed time from another viewing start time of theanother contents information which is created by the application of thesecond information processing terminal and displayed on the seconddisplay.